Countryside retreat
Darren’s Bulgaria adventure began last October with the swift purchase of a property in Dolna Lipnitsa. He fully experienced the Bulgarian winter, complete with its majestic beauty and the occasional challenge such as power outages. Darren immersed himself in the picturesque landscape, embracing the outdoors, and returning to the basics of self-sufficiency, like collecting firewood and cooking all his meals.
Here in Bulgaria, people are known for their hospitality. Bonding with his neighbours and locals over shared meals became a cornerstone of Darren’s integration into village life. However, after a delightful 3-month period, Darren had to briefly return to England to renew his travel documents. British citizens can stay in the EU up to 90 days without a visa (Visa D would be required for a longer stay in Bulgaria).
This summer, he is prepared to start renovations on his Bulgarian home. As a retired Royal Navy officer accustomed to extensive travel and living in various countries, Darren admits that he has faced no significant challenges in Bulgaria, except for occasional language barriers, such as when sourcing building materials from local merchants.
In his own words, “After leaving the forces, I didn’t really want to stay in England.” Darren has chosen a healthier, simpler lifestyle with ample time to enjoy life, relax, and appreciate the quietness of village life in the countryside.
Follow Darren’s blog to keep up with his journey in the Bulgarian countryside.
Source: Bulgarian National Radio
A village to be proud of
The village of Dolna Lipnitsa is conveniently located just a 20-minute drive (approximately 18km) from the town of Pavlikeni. Veliko Tarnovo, the district city in the region, is 42km away or a 43-minute drive.
Dolna Lipnitsa boasts a population of 498. Neighboring villages include Gorna Lipnitsa and Obedinenie, the latter of which features a mineral water spring and a public swimming pool. The area’s road network is poised for a bright future, with planned investments for a high-speed road connecting Veliko Tarnovo and Ruse via Dolna Liptnitsa.
The river Elia meanders through Dolna Liptnitsa before joining the Yantra river to the south. Within the village, you’ll find several grocery stores, a bar, and doctor’s offices, where both a general practitioner and a dentist are available for appointments.
A well-maintained kindergarten occupies a central spot in the village square, welcoming children from Dolna Lipnitsa and neighboring villages. A dedicated team of teachers, led by the experienced Mrs. Diyanka Lecheva, provides daily care to the young learners. Here, children hone their talents in singing and dancing, and those aged 5 and 6 engage with mandatory pre-school training material.
The village is home to one of the oldest active churches in the region and a large center suitable for hosting outdoor events. It also features a well-equipped pensioner’s club. Additionally, a football stadium invites children of all ages to exercise and aspire to become the next football legends of Bulgaria.
The mayor’s office, the community center, and the post office are also situated in the main square. The community center “Zaria 1883”, established in 1883 as its name indicates, includes a large concert hall with 700 seats and a library boasting a vast collection of books. Readers enjoy free access to modern computer equipment.
Did you know?
The Town Hall and Community Center together organise the Folklore Festival “Dolna Lipnitsa – A bunch of spring flowers”. This annual event takes place on the 25th of May. It transforms the village of Dolna Lipnitsa into a haven that preserves and disseminates Bulgarian folklore, the traditions of our ancestors, and passes them on to future generations. The festival is non-competitive, bringing together singing groups, dance groups, and individual performers of all age groups from various regions of the country.
Move2Bulgaria would like to thank Ivo Ivanov for his professional site dedicated to the village.
Source: https://dolnalipnitsa.eu/
